Charles Dent

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, there would not be any government money into the provision of that course. The majority of courses that are offered by the college are third-party funded and that’s paid for by application fees or by the students signing up for them. In other cases it’s provided for by funds that are provided by First Nations or by employers. So a good portion of the programming that is offered through the colleges is third-party funded. This one, I suspect, is entirely funded by the fees that would be paid by the students who signed up for the course.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the government hasn’t taken a formal position. I can say personally I was certainly supportive of the federal legislation that was proposed before the last election, and I personally would enjoy seeing the federal government bring that legislation back onto the table. But our government can’t create a criminal offence and that is what I think is necessary in order to properly protect animals in our jurisdiction and across Canada. In terms of what we can do further, I expect that my colleague, the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, and myself...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am sensitive to the public concern around this issue. I have a dog as a pet and was troubled when I saw the pictures and heard the story as well, but at this point I can’t add much to what’s been happening with the investigation. I know that the RCMP have appealed to the public for anybody to come forward who has information on the case and they would welcome anybody providing that. The investigation is continuing, but I believe that the RCMP would welcome some assistance if anybody has any information on the case. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That must have been done before my time as Minister. I have no knowledge of that report; I’m sorry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it was a government response to the coalition’s recommendations, so outside agencies weren’t necessarily invited to be full partners. However, an invitation was extended on numerous occasions to the executive director of the NWT Status of Women to attend and be briefed on the status of the development of the response. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I apologize; I don’t have a copy of the report in front of me and I can’t name off the outside organizations that were invited. So I don’t have that information in front of me right now. Sorry, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I just previously said, that commitment was made by Mr. Roland, but I will make it again. Yes, that information will be shared with Members. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have raised the issue with the chairs of the two Yellowknife boards, but the department does not get directly involved in deciding who should be hired by which board. We make sure that all of the boards are aware of people who are looking for positions and are interested and at this point we are confident that there are positions available if teachers are prepared to take them, but we can’t guarantee what community the positions will be available in. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will commit to provide all of that information to the Regular Members. I will do that within the next two or three days.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize some people who are in the gallery for the Northern Teachers’ Council. Amanda Mallon is president of the NWT Teachers’ Association.

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Mr. Dave Roebuck is the executive director of the NWTTA.

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Mr. Ian Oostindie is president of the Yukon Teachers’ Association.

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I understand he is also the Premier’s brother-in-law.

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Dennis Rankin, the executive director of the Yukon Teachers’ Association, is with us.

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Lou Budgell from the Nunavut Teachers’ Association is in the gallery.

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Jimm...